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Center for Animal Welfare

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The Center for Animal Welfare provides guidance on animal welfare issues to

regulated and non-regulated stakeholders. Our diverse network of partners and

experts serve as the national resource for policy analysis, education and outreach,

and science and technology in support of the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection

Acts. We partner with U.S. and international experts to provide accurate, unbiased,

science-based information.
Led by Dr. Martha Keller, DVM, MS, DACAW, the Center features a team of specialists

with expertise in a wide range of animal species. We are available to provide advice

and best practices not only to APHIS but also other Federal agencies, stakeholders,

cooperatives, universities, State and local governments, and other countries.  We

also provide leadership on the safety and well-being of animals during emergencies.

Additionally, we provide leadership and current information on the latest in animal

welfare science and technology and help analyze animal care-related policies.

For more information, email us at centerforanimalwelfare@usda.gov.

Animal Welfare Symposia

2024 Bat Welfare Symposium

REGISTER NOW

The USDA APHIS Center for Animal Welfare is excited to invite all interested parties

to a 2-day Bat Welfare Symposium on April 10-12, 2024. This virtual event will

address proper care and welfare considerations for captive and wild bats. Speakers

will cover a wide range of topics focusing on general improvements to health and

welfare, managing bat populations, bat transportation, ensuring proper nutrition,

welfare during rehabilitation, and anthropogenic issues affecting bat welfare. There

is no registration fee to register and we have applied for 12 RACE credits for

veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Please click the register now button to

register for the event. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at

centerforanimalwelfare@usda.gov

All sessions receiving speaker authorization will be recorded and posted on USDA

APHIS | Center for Animal Welfare (CAW) after the event. Please be patient, USDA is

revising web content and is not able to provide a definitive date for these recording

will be available.

2023 Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium

In 2023, the Center for Animal Welfare organized and hosted a 2-day event, which

addressed health and welfare concerns during transportation for animals covered
under the Animal Welfare Act. Guest and internal speakers covered a wide range of

welfare issues on species ranging from zoo animals to marine mammals, to pets and

their welfare during both ground and air transportation. All recorded sessions are

listed below and available for viewing on APHIS YouTube.

Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium Day 1 Presentation Recordings

Marine Mammal Transportation

Overview of AWA Registration, Regulations, and Standards during

Transportation

The Changing Landscape of Ground Transportation

Live Dog Importation– Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium 2023

Preparing and Acclimating Dogs for Transportation

Contingency Planning

Day 1 Panel Discussion

Animal Transportation Welfare Symposium Day 2 Presentation Recordings

Exotic Animal Transportation

Nonhuman Primate Transportation

A Wildlife Inspector’s Experience with Animal Transportation

CDC Perspective on Animal Transportation

Conservation Logistics - Best Practices in Animal Transportation, What We Have

Learned in 60+ Years

Innovative Transport Monitoring Equipment

AZA Zoo Registrar’s Perspective on Welfare & Transportation

Day 2 Panel Discussion

2023 Small Pets Welfare Symposium

In 2023, the Center for Animal Welfare organized and hosted a 2-day virtual event,

which addressed health and welfare concerns for small pet mammals including

rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, ferrets, hedgehogs, and sugar gliders.

Guest and internal speakers focused on general improvements to the health and

welfare of small pet species and recent concerns in the guinea pig industry

regarding Encephalitozoon Cuniculi. All recorded sessions are listed below and

available for viewing on APHIS YouTube.
Small Pets Welfare Symposium Day 1 Presentation Recordings

Overview of Animal Care

Current Status in the Field

Conducting Daily Observations

Pet Store Legislation and Market Trends

Diagnostic Testing Methods for Small Mammals

Day 1 Panel Discussion

Small Pets Welfare Symposium Day 2 Presentation Recordings

Enrichment Strategies: Concepts and Ideas from the Lab

Social Housing: Concepts and Ideas from the Lab

Zoonoses in Small Companion Mammals

Emerging Diseases, RHD, ECUN, CDV

Encephalitozoon Cuniculi in Rabbits

What to do With a Sick Animals

Day 2 Panel Discussion

2017 Nonhuman Primate Symposium: Practical Solutions to

Welfare Challenges

In 2017, the Center sponsored a 2-day event focusing on the psychological and

physical well-being of nonhuman primates. We provided targeted, practical

information for enhancing compliance and animal welfare at regulated facilities.

Presentations

Behavior-Based Husbandry for Lemurs

Creating Environments that Support Species Specific Behaviors for Captive

Chimpanzees

Functionally Appropriate Behaviors of Capuchins, Spider Monkeys, and Squirrel

Monkeys

Managing Abnormal Behaviors

Just Listen – Giving Animals a Voice to Improve Their Quality of Life

Nutritional Aspects of Non-human Primate Care

Preventative Health Care of Primates in Captivity
Geriatric Care of Primates in Captivity

Developing an Environment Enhancement Plan

2014 Lions, Tigers, and Bears Symposium

In 2014, the Center sponsored an educational symposium focusing on welfare,

husbandry, and safety. The 2-day event covered a range of topics, including

behavior-based husbandry, safety, disaster preparedness, hand rearing,

transportation, operant conditioning, enrichment, and diet/nutrition to help lions,

tigers and bears thrive in captivity.

Related Links

Animal Care Aids